L' Étrange Aventure du Prince Ali-Rayon-de-Lune de la vioille Zorraya, du Crocodile littéraire, et des Coeurs embaumés.

Article description

Extensive manuscript of an Arabic fairy tale, richly decorated with watercolor paintings and initials, a total of 100 leaves privately bound. The manuscript was probably created around 1900-20. It is unsigned and undated, only the name "Marie Taxis-Hohenlohe" stamped on the spine gives an indication of the possible author or previous owner of this work. This manuscript was bound by the well-known Austrian court bookbinder Ferdinand Bakala in Vienna. The bookbinder's mark can be found on the inside cover. We assume that the binding has been made around 1900-1920. The spine shows the name 'Marie Taxis-Hohenlohe' stamped in gold, the front cover with the title „L' Étrange Aventure du Prince Ali Rayon De Lune" stamped in gold. The inner edges of the lid with magnificent decorative gold embossing. Marie von Thurn und Taxis zu Hohenlohe (December 28, 1855 - February 16, 1934) was a friend of the arts and literature. She not only collected works of art and moved in the circles of various artists, but also, as is well known, she took up the pen herself at least twice. Her memories of Rainer Maria Rilke is probably the best-known work by the late princess. Her work,The Tea Party of Miss Moon: From Grandmama's Tales', which was only published after her death, revealed not only her literary but also her artistic talent. Based on these facts, we assume that the present, previously unknown and unpublished work "L'Étrange Aventure du Prince Ali Rayon de Lune" originally also came from the possession of the German princess. Further due to the similarities of the illustrations to the work 'The Tea Party of Miss Moon' we assume that this manuscript was also created by Princess Marie von Thurn und Taxis zu Hohenlohe. It is written very carefully in good French and is illustrated with lovingly hand-painted watercolors and decorative initials in an extremely lavish manner. The book tells the story of a prince who goes in search of his bride and experiences many adventures along this way. The story is a little reminiscent of Aladdin and the adventures of 1001 Nights and is not only enchanting with its colorful pictures but also with the calligraphic text itself.